Morning
Time: 6:39 AM PST
"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide." --Genesis 24:63
Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in
idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they
would find more profitable society and more interesting engagements in
meditation than in the vanities which now have such charms for them. We should
all know more, live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone.
Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from the mental food
gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac
found Rebecca while engaged in private musings; many others have found their
best beloved there.
Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study
hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from the
soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven
to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely
opened, that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly than from written
books. Our little rooms are neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or
so inspiring as the fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel
that all created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be
hallowed.
Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil
over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield to the
joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and
the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of this day
will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can spare an hour to walk
in the field at eventide, but if not, the Lord is in the town too, and will meet
with thee in thy chamber or in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to
meet Him.